![]() ![]() Depending on the climate in which you live, gnats in the house may go away on their own, but waiting for extreme heat or cold can be a frustrating game. If you’re experiencing a gnat infestation, it’s best to understand the measures you can take to help get rid of gnats in your house. When it comes to fungus gnats, avoid overwatering plants so that plant roots stay healthy and soil fungal growth is minimal.Īnother important recommendation is to periodically inspect any open bags of leftover potting soil to ensure it is gnat-free. Keep all food containers, sink drains, and trashcans clean so that flies don’t have sources of food and development sites. Keep products in the fridge and inside sealed containers. ![]() Prevention of fruit flies involves three basic steps to make sure they don’t become problems inside the home:Įmploy exclusion methods such as effective screening to keep them outside.ĭiscard or store fruit and produce in a manner that makes it unlikely that flies will infest foods. While not dangerous to humans, a fungus gnat infestation can be a nuisance indoors, as clouds of these tiny pests swarm and settle repeatedly. Moist places containing decomposing organic matterįruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at once, so infestations are common and may linger for a long time.Īttracted to damp soil, fungus gnats usually get into homes by flying inside or from infested houseplants brought inside the house.įungus gnats infest soil and feed upon decaying or damaged plant roots as well as fungi found in the soil. Other likely places for fruit flies to develop are: Once inside, they eat and develop in over-ripened fruits and vegetables. How does a gnat infestation in the house start?įruit flies can enter homes through open doors and screens, or as eggs and larvae on produce. To prevent infection, use an anti-itch cream and monitor for any worsening symptoms. While some cases of gnat bites are known to transmit infectious diseases that typically affect livestock, continuous scratching can lead to open sores that are susceptible to a bacterial infection, which can cause other health issues. In general, bites from gnats are itchy, red, and may swell. Gnat bites commonly occur on exposed, uncovered skin. Due to the way in which a gnat bites, it can be more painful than bites from other common pests. When a gnat bites a human host, it injects an anti-clotting agent to prevent the wound from closing before they get an entire meal. By using their specially-designed cutting teeth to puncture a host’s skin, gnat bites are different from bed bug or mosquito bites. Male gnats feed on plant nectar, while female biting gnats prefer to feed on blood as they need it to produce eggs that will develop properly. Some of these tiny pests can bite, but not all types of gnats have mouthparts that allow them to penetrate the skin. This overly inclusive grouping refers to any small, winged insect such as biting midges, sewer flies, fruit flies, drain flies, and black flies. While it’s correct to say that gnats bite, it’s important to note that the term “gnat” includes several species under one general label. These pests breed frequently, so it can be hard for homeowners to get rid of a gnat infestation. Common gnats in homes are fruit flies and fungus gnats. The word gnat refers to any small, winged insect.
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